UA Alumni Association Announces Teaching Award Winners

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama National Alumni Association has announced the four recipients of its 2000 Outstanding Commitment to Teaching Award (OCTA), the University’s highest honor for excellence in teaching.

The 2000 winners are Pamela H. Bucy, Bainbridge Professor in the UA School of Law; Dr. Melondie R. Carter, assistant professor in the Capstone College of Nursing (CCN); Dr. Elizabeth Cockrum, associate professor of clinical pediatrics in the College of Community Health Sciences (CCHS); and Dr. Nick Stinnett, professor of human development and family studies in the College of Human Environmental Sciences (HES).

Established in 1976, OCTA recognizes dedication to the teaching profession and the positive impact professors have on their students. This year’s award winners were recognized by UA President Andrew Sorensen at the annual fall faculty and staff meeting held Sept. 13.

Bucy earned her bachelor’s degree at Austin College and her J.D. at Washington University. She came to the UA Law School in 1987 after serving as a trial attorney with the criminal division of the United States Attorney’s Office in St. Louis, Mo., where she primarily prosecuted white-collar crimes.

Bucy teaches several UA courses, including White Collar Crime, Criminal Law, and Criminal Procedure. She began a “shadow” program and a summer internship program at the law school, both of which provide students opportunities to observe the “real world” of law practice. Bucy is an invited speaker at conferences throughout the U.S. and has authored four books. She has been awarded numerous honors from the UA Law School, the Alabama State Bar Association and Austin College.

In a recommendation letter, a student praised Bucy’s commitment to her students and to teaching by writing: “Her drive and passion for the law is like no other teacher. Not only is she the most involved professor I have ever encountered, she makes her class and the subject matter come to life.”

Carter joined the CCN faculty in 1992 and was promoted to assistant professor in 1999. She received her B.S.N. from Troy State University and her M.S.N. and D.S.N. from UAB.

Carter’s research interests and publications are in the area of the usefulness of computer performance measurement for controlling health care costs. She has implemented performance measurement software on numerous nursing units to assist nurse managers in monitoring and controlling costs and hours.

“Dr. Carter is a very enthusiastic educator whose clear passion for nursing is contagious,” a student wrote in a letter recommending Carter for the OCTA award. “The positive, supportive classroom atmosphere created by Dr. Carter, along with her good humor, exceptional love for Alabama, and tremendous enthusiasm, make it easy to leave behind the more traditional passive approach to learning and promotes active involvement in the learning process.”

Carter is the president-elect of Sigma Theta Tau, Epsilon Omega Chapter. She sits on numerous committees at the University and within the CCN. She received the 1988 Distinguished Nurse Educator Award for Class and Clinical Instruction from Troy State University.

Cockrum joined the CCHS pediatric faculty in 1989. She was promoted to associate professor of clinical pediatrics in 1995. Cockrum has served as director of the pediatric clerkship for third-year medical students since 1991, and she also served as chair of the pediatric department at DCH Regional Medical Center from 1996-1998.

“Dr. Cockrum is a very unique individual in that she has the best knowledge base for care of pediatric patients I have ever encountered,” a colleague stated in a letter to recommend her for the OCTA award. “This knowledge also is accompanied by an extremely keen clinical acumen. Together, these qualities make her an outstanding pediatrician, enabling her to provide students with the best learning experiences possible.”

Cockrum received her bachelor’s degree from UA and went on to earn her M.D. from the UA School of Medicine. She did her pediatric residency at The Children’s Hospital of Alabama in Birmingham. She instructs third- and fourth-year, Tuscaloosa-based medical students in routine well child and sick care in the pediatrics outpatient clinic at the Capstone Medical Clinic and teaches pediatric emergency, in-patient and newborn nursery care at DCH.

Stinnett joined the HES faculty in 1988 as a professor. During the last 25 years he has led the most extensive study of family strengths in the world, leading him to author and co-author eight books and numerous articles and book chapters. His most recently published work, “Fantastic Families,” is a Gold Medallion finalist. He was invited to participate in an International Year of the Family conference at the United Nations in Vienna and has testified before the U.S. Congress on behalf of families.

Stinnett earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and earned his master’s and doctoral degrees from Florida State University. He teaches many courses, including Marriage and the Family, Dynamics Family Relationships, and Family Assessment.

In a letter to recommend him for the OCTA award, a student praised Stinnett’s dedication to the subject matter his courses involve. “Of all the professors I had over the course of my undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate career, Dr. Stinnett clearly made the most impact on my life. His rich research background, along with his knowledge of family issues, combined to make his classes informative, challenging and worthwhile,” the student said.

The UA National Alumni Association, which gives the annual OCTA awards, is made up of more than 30,000 active alumni and friends of the University, organized into more than 100 local chapters nationwide. The association stimulates interest in and supports the betterment of the University, with member contributions accounting for more than $2 million per year in academic scholarships.

For more information or to join, call 205/348-1551 or write the UA National Alumni Association, P.O. Box 861928, Tuscaloosa, AL 35486-0017.